Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid without intoxicating properties. While CBD can improve neurophysiological functions and subjective symptoms, its effect on cognitive function remains unclear. We summarized the available randomized controlled trials investigating CBD administration and cognitive function. A review of the literature was conducted using the following keywords on PubMed/Medline: (cannabis OR cannabidiol OR cannabinoid OR CBD OR Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol OR tetrahydrocannabinol) AND (neurology OR brain OR psychiatric OR neuroscience OR psychology OR cognition) AND (human) AND (randomized controlled trial OR RCT). The search yielded 1038 articles with 36 total included for this literature review. The...

Abstract Background Sleep disorders, including insomnia, are highly prevalent in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), significantly impacting quality of life. Patients frequently use cannabidiol (CBD) as an alternative to standard medical treatments for sleep disorders, yet its efficacy has not been rigorously investigated. Methods This study comprises 15 randomized, placebo-controlled N-of-1 trials evaluating the effect of pure CBD oil (10 % g/v) on sleep quality in MS patients. Each N-of-1 study consists of a two-week run-in period, followed by four treatment periods of three weeks, separated by a one-week washout. Participants receive both CBD and placebo twice in a randomized order. Treatment starts at 150 mg...

Abstract Some individuals attempt to alleviate menstrual-related symptoms (MRS) by using cannabis and report having expectations that cannabis can improve MRS; however, no study has examined the effect of cannabinoids on MRS. The present study is a pre–post, randomized, open-label trial that aimed to examine the effects of oral cannabidiol (CBD) isolate for alleviating MRS. Participants were assigned randomly to one of two open-label dosing groups of CBD softgels (160 mg twice a day, BID, n = 17; 320 mg BID, n = 16) and completed a 1-month baseline period. Following baseline, participants were instructed to consume CBD starting the first day they believed they experienced symptoms each month and to take their assigned dose daily for 5 consecutive...

Abstract Background and Aims Substance use disorders (SUD) lead to a high burden of disease, yet treatment options are limited. Cannabidiol (CBD) is being investigated as a potential therapeutic target due to its pharmacological properties and mode of action in the endocannabinoid system. Recent systematic reviews (SR) on CBD and SUDs have shown inconsistent results. The objective of this umbrella review was to determine whether CBD alone or in combination with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is effective for managing and treating SUDs. Methods Following a registered protocol, we searched PubMed, Web of Science and Epistemonikos databases for SRs, with or without a meta-analysis, of randomized controlled...

Abstract Purpose Patients with cancer commonly access cannabis hoping to relieve their symptoms. This study assessed whether a 1:1 10 mg/ml THC:CBD combination oil could improve total symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer over that provided by palliative care alone. Methods Participants were randomised to medicinal cannabis (MC) or placebo oil; dose escalated over 14 days according to tolerance and efficacy and continued to day 28. Symptoms assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) were summated to give a total symptom distress score (TSDS). The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline in TSDS at day 14. Secondary outcomes included individual symptom scores,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Aim: Few studies have directly compared the bioavailability of different cannabinoid formulations. Our goal was to assess the pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailability of two Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol (THC:CBD) formulations: orally administered THC:CBD extract and oromucosally administered nabiximols. Methods: This pilot crossover study counterbalanced (1) 1 mL of orally administered THC:CBD extract (10 mg/mL each of THC and CBD in grapeseed oil) and (2) oromucosally administered nabiximols (four sprays of 2.7 mg THC and 2.5 mg CBD per spray, for a total dose of 10.8 mg THC and 10 mg CBD). Blood samples were obtained pre-dose and...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The non-psychoactive cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are available on the market in different forms, mostly for their anti-inflammatory and potential analgesic properties. These substances are prohibited during equine competitions. CBD and CBDA are naturally present in hemp straw, commonly used as a bedding substitute for wheat straw. Unfortunately, horses can eat it, which therefore could lead to a possible risk of positive findings for CBD/CBDA in biological samples after doping control tests. The goals of this study were, first, to provide recommendations on the use of hemp straw before competition and, second,...

Abstract Point-of-collection testing (POCT) devices are widely used in roadside and workplace drug testing to identify recent cannabis use by measuring the presence of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid (OF). However, the performance of POCT devices with oral medicinal cannabis products remains poorly described. In a randomised, double-blinded, crossover trial, adults with insomnia disorder (n = 20) received a single (2 mL) oral dose of oil containing 10 mg THC + 200 mg cannabidiol, or placebo, prior to sleep. Participants were tested with the Securetec DrugWipe® 5S (10 ng/mL THC cut-off) and Dräger DrugTest® 5000 (25 ng/mL THC cut-off) POCT devices at baseline (pre-treatment) and then at 0.5, 10, and 18 h post-treatment. An...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the production of multiple tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) related products via the acid catalysis of cannabidiol (CBD). The widespread availability of CBD and the unregulated or poorly regulated nature of its use have flooded the market with THC-containing products of unverifiable provenance and frequently contaminated by trace metals and residual solvents. Under non-optimized, poorly controlled, or harsh reaction conditions, these acid-catalyzed transformations yield multiple cannabinoids including Δ9-THC and Δ8-THC, along with numerous side products. These side products are rarely identified or quantified accurately, and their safety and...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The widespread use of cannabis derived products has raised concerns with regard to their side effect profile, particularly hepatotoxicity. This case centers around a 45-year-old female patient receiving therapeutic cannabis oil, who demonstrated an acute surge in hepatic transaminases after excluding common etiologies, such as paracetamol and recent flucloxacillin, as both are hepatotoxic. A subsequent improvement in hepatic parameters following discontinuation reinforces the potential for an existing association between cannabis oil and liver injury. Furthermore, this case highlights the need for clinicians to recognize cannabinoid products as potential hepatotoxins, especially in patients with unexplained hepatic dysfunction....